Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis

Nestled in the heart of St. Louis, the Missouri Botanical Garden is a verdant oasis and a center for botanical research and science education. Covering 79 acres, this garden is one of the oldest in the United States and has been a place of beauty and learning since its establishment in 1859 by philanthropist Henry Shaw.

As a botanical garden, it is home to a vast collection of plants from around the world, including rare and endangered species. The garden's living collection is meticulously curated, providing a window into the plant kingdom's diversity and the importance of conservation. The Missouri Botanical Garden is not just a place to admire the beauty of flora; it is also an institution dedicated to the study and preservation of plant life, with a herbarium that houses over 6.6 million specimens.

Visitors to the garden can explore a number of specialty gardens and features, such as the serene Japanese Garden, the Victorian District, and the Climatron, a geodesic dome conservatory filled with a lush, tropical rainforest. Additionally, the garden hosts the annual Japanese Festival and the Chinese Culture Days, celebrating the rich traditions and heritage connected to these gardens.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is also renowned for its sustainability efforts and commitment to green practices. It is a leader in botanical research, with initiatives that extend far beyond the garden's borders, including global conservation projects.